SUB JUDICE AND GAG ORDER: THE RECENT DEVELOPMENT IN MALAYSIA

High profile court cases always attracted media attention for public interest purposes. As a liaison between the and public, broadcast or report case on their channels newspapers. From these reports, receives sufficient information them to formulate certain opinion. Those who believe that they understand more would advocate stance openly, usually comments through social actual publishers. However, many are not aware of existence sub judice rule prevents anyone from publishing any statement about ongoing trial. This is imposed avoid disruption proceedings "trials by media". In such circumstances, parties suit apply committal order contempt breaching rule. Alternatively, gag stop case. will only grant reject application after examining considering factors as enunciated in Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib bin Hj Abd Razak v Public Prosecutor which has been applied Arumugam a/l Dorasamy. paper adopts doctrinal legal research methodology with analysis approach. It delves into court’s decisions standards tests laid down evaluates impacts future cases. At end analysis, it established become benchmark precedent all gag-order applications. The outcome this important chart Malaysia.